All Your F-1 Visa Questions Answered

Photo of Natasha Sharma.
By Natasha Sharma, Master of Science (MS) in Information Science student and Graduate Ambassador

Hi, I am Natasha Sharma, a Master of Science (MS) in Information Science student with a concentration in Data Analytics at the University at Albany. I am an international student from India.

Most international students have many questions related to the F-1 Student Visa, its requirements, the application process and the interview. I am here to discuss my experience with all of this. 

Here are some common questions regarding the F-1 Student Visa.

But first, it is important to know: What is an F-1 Visa and who is eligible to apply?

An F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows international students to study full-time in the United States. Students who receive the I-20 form ("Certificate of Eligibility") are eligible to apply for the F-1 Visa. 

  1. What Documents do I need to apply for the F-1 visa?
  • Valid passport from your home country
  • An online nonimmigrant Department of State’s DS-160 application form.
  • Your Photograph
  • Certificate of Eligibility: the Form I-20
  • Letter of admission from the university you plan to attend
  • Evidence of financial support (bank statements, letters of assistantship, sponsorship, and any other proof that you have sufficient funds for educational and living expenses)
  • Proof of payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee. 
  1. What is the process for applying for an F-1 visa?
  • The first step in applying for the F-1 visa is to fill out the online DS-160 form and pay the associated fee.
  • The next step is to schedule a visa interview. At this appointment, you will need to present all the required documents mentioned above.

Some things to keep in mind:

  • The visa appointment should be no earlier than 365 days prior to your program start date.2. If the visa is granted, you will use that student visa along with your passport and the I-20 for the school you plan to attend when entering the U.S.
  • You may enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days prior to the program start date indicated on your I-20.
  • If you have dependents (spouse and/or children) that will travel to the U.S. with you, each dependent must have a separate I-20.

The process can seem overwhelming, but make sure you ask questions and feel prepared. You may want to check the following link before applying for your interview for additional information: 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html

Information adapted from the International Student and Scholar Services Visa page.